Karla Shacklock

Whoop! 45 years old, perimenopausal, with three kids and still busting a groove! Don't give up the faith dancer friends! I'm off to London next week to do some glorious and important R&D with the wonderful @womanewer @hackneycreativehub I can't wait! Photo courtesy of my amazing friend @spenceleymichael the last time we danced I'm the studio together @chisenhaledance Taking a small break from @nip_lash for this one!

Niplash tote bags and t'shirts up for grabs!!! Who would like to support the LACTIVIST cause and spread the LACTIVIST word by buying some @nip_lash merch?! Artwork by the gorgeous @amydanielleart @ashleigh.hancock.kinchant this is the tote bag! Developed with support from @aceagrams @complicitetheatre @exeternorthcott #infantfeeding #fedisbest #breastfeeding

@brewhouselive you were small but mighty!! Thanks for having us Taunton - that's a few more LACTIVISTs now rocking the @nip_lash t-shirts and totes bags! Special thanks to @leratodunn for holding such a beautiful post show space and @rachaelduthie for stepping in as such a brilliant sound and lighting tech. Next stop is @totnesfringefestival in July... Watch this space for ticket links. Developed with support from @aceagrams @complicitetheatre and @exeternorthcott @somersetmaternityneonatalvoice it was wonderful to have you there. Looking forward to continuing the conversation! #infantfeeding #fedisbest #breaatfeeding

HOT OFF THE PRESS! I've been working with the incredible @blackbarkfilms on this promo for Niplash, which was filmed at @themountwithout_impermanence in Bristol last month. Jo and Holly are a dream team and I'm thrilled with how they have captured the show - especially the footage of the wonderful @byobchoir who joined me for those performances. We will be performing a parent accessible matinee at @brewhouselive this Saturday, and also @leratodunn will be hosting a beautiful creative workshop 'Held' before the show - still chance to grab a ticket and/or tell your friends. Enjoy! Developed with support from @aceagrams @complicitetheatre and @exeternorthcott Credits: @akgolding_ – Voiceover @_alice._____ – Visual dramaturg BYOB Choir Chris Fogg – Dramaturg @dinahmullensound – Sound design and consultancy @ed_rapley – Sound design and outside eye @emmaclee83 – Post show host and Niplash therapeutic counsellor Julia Turner – Choir leader @lizzyhumber - Producorial support @rachaelduthie – Lighting design Tom Johnson – Composer of Two Birds

Next stop on the @nip_lash tour is @brewhouselive on 2nd May. Join us for a pre show creative sharing space 'Held' hosted by the wonderful @leratodunn and then a parent accessible performance of Niplash at 2pm. Babes in arms welcome to all of it. Ticket links in bio Liberation via lactivism! Both healing balm and urgent battle cry, Niplash dives into the societal pressures, insane mixed messaging, and unconditional love surrounding infant feeding*. Expect to see milk, tears, and confetti Held is a relaxed space to pause, reflect and connect—both with yourself and with others navigating early parenthood. Through simple collage, mark-making and guided creative prompts, we’ll explore the shifts, challenges and quiet joys of caring for a young child. Developed with support from @aceagrams @complicitetheatre @exeternorthcott Dream creative team @ed_rapley @_alice._____ @rachaelduthie @dinahmullensound Tom Johnson @chris.fogg.35 Photo by the brilliant @craigfullerphotography

The wonderful @leratodunn will be hosting this beautiful workshop @brewhouselive on May 2nd just before we perform @nip_lash Join us for a gentle, creative pre-show workshop designed for parents and carers with babies (0–2). Held is a relaxed space to pause, reflect and connect—both with yourself and with others navigating early parenthood. Through simple collage, mark-making and guided creative prompts, we’ll explore the shifts, challenges and quiet joys of caring for a young child. There will also be opportunities for soft, optional movement to soothe and support bodies that do so much in holding, feeding and nurturing. No artistic experience is needed—just come as you are. Come on your own or with a friend, and meet other parents and carers ahead of the show. Payment is via donation during the workshop. After the workshop, you’re invited to stay for a relaxed bring-your-own lunch—a chance to sit, chat and build a sense of community before the performance of Niplash All materials are provided. Babies are welcome throughout Booking link for Niplash and to secure your space on the workshop is in my bio above The development of Niplash and all related activities has been supported by @complicitetheatre @aceagrams @exeternorthcott

Production shots by the brilliant @craigfullerphotography of @nip_lash performance @themountwithout_impermanence last month, featuring the wonderful @byobchoir Developed with support from @complicitetheatre @exeternorthcott @aceagrams Catch us next @brewhouselive on May 2nd! Creative team: @ed_rapley @rachaelduthie @dinahmullensound @_alice._____ @chris.fogg.35 Tom Johnson

Next up on the @nip_lash tour... We are @brewhouselive in Taunton on 2nd May! Join us for a parent accessible daytime performance of Niplash, plus optional creative workshop in the morning and reflective post show talk with the wonderful @leratodunn "Niplash is nourishing, empowering, and political" says @lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc "An exhilarating celebration of motherhood in all it's messy glory... A boundary busting, reality recognising shake up. Karla's passion and commitment are inspiring" says @lalecheleague_gb in Breastfeeding Matters Magazine Hope you can join us @tauntonlactationcare @pregnancypostnatal_taunton @kristiejadedoula @breastfeedingtogether Taunton Poster by @projectmoon Photo by @locknlens Creative team @shacklockkarla @edrapley @rachaelduthie @alicesales_theatredesign @dinahmullensound

A review of @nip_lash Weekender @themountwithout_impermanence by the wonderful @leratodunn "What makes all of this even more extraordinary is the scale of what Shacklock has built around the work. She has devised the show, created the collaborations, gathered the voices, and brought together artists, mothers and communities to make it happen. The level of attention to detail — from the music to the design to the atmosphere of the weekend itself — is remarkable. Every element feels purposeful, thoughtful and full of love. Niplash is funny, fierce, political and deeply beautiful. It celebrates women’s bodies and the labour of motherhood while calling for better support, greater understanding and stronger communities. It is activism through art, advocacy through embodiment." It was indeed an extraordinary weekend, only possible because of this insanely talented and generous team... @ed_rapley @byobchoir @amydanielleart @amythornleyheardartist @chris.fogg.35 @lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc @movinginmatrescence @rachaelduthie @alicesales_theatredesign @dinahmullensound @craigfullerphotography @blackbarkfilms @carolime33 @roseannagraceanderson @joshbentovim @lizzyhumber @flymissfox Niplash was developed with support from @aceagrams @complicitetheatre @exeternorthcott and also performed @norwichartscentre And @camdenpeoplestheatre Next performance is @brewhouselive on 2nd May! Ticket link in bio

It's been completely impossible for me to find the words to capture how extraordinarily cosmic the @nip_lash Weekender @themountwithout_impermanence was. The most incredibly beautiful and completely essential coming together of a community born from mutual and generous love and support. The energy in that space over the two days held its own life force. Here are some photos taken by some of the nearly 400 people who came and witnessed, shared, danced, cried, held, fell, grew, connected, laughed, created, loved. The first photo is a moment I will hold dear forever, my three boys joining me on stage to fly the LACTIVIST flag as the audience stood and roared in solidarity. Same time next year everyone??? Immense kove and gratitude to th Niplash family... @ed_rapley @emmaclee83 @lizzyhumber @amydanielleart @amythornleyheardartist @byobchoir @flymissfox @leratodunn @lucywebberfeedingsupport_ibclc @movinginmatrescence @carolime33 @rachaelduthie @alicesales_theatredesign @dinahmullensound @craigfullerphotography @locknlens @blackbarkfilms @projectmoon @chris.fogg.35 Tom Johnson Developed with support from @aceagrams @exeternorthcott @complicitetheatre

@norwichartscentre we are on our way to perform @nip_lash as part of @ljhopeproductions Tilted Women Festival. LACTIVIST flags at the ready! Still a few tickets up for grabs so spread the word - link in bio. Developed with support from @aceagrams @complicitetheatre @exeternorthcott Thanks to @camdenpeoplestheatre for hosting us the last couple of days, so wonderful to have so many breastfeeding support workers including @camden_baby_feeding_team @lalecheleague_gb @la.leche.league in the theatre. @breastfeeding_norwich_norfolk see you later! Photo by @craigfullerphotography

We will be performing @norwichartscentre tomorrow as part of @ljhopeproductions brilliant Tilted Women Festival. Still time to grab a ticket and tell all your friends!! Come fly your LACTIVIST flag!! Developed with support from @aceagrams @complicitetheatre @exeternorthcott Ticket link in bio @breastfeeding_norwich_norfolk hope to see you there! @shacklockkarla Photo by the wonderful @craigfullerphotography